YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Book recommendations

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Book recommendations https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 05:27:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php retailgirl on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/3#post-1159704 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 21:11:07 +0000 retailgirl 1159704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One idea for non fiction lovers: go to delanceyplace.com. They publish a short excerpt of a non fiction book daily. Some of the reads are fascinating. You can have it sent to you daily. Anonymous on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/3#post-1159265 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:21:03 +0000 Anonymous 1159265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Loved reading all these recommendations! I also loved Life After Life. In fact, I've really enjoyed all of Kate Atkinson's books in general, especially the other ones that are sort of postmodern family sagas (Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Emotionally Weird) as opposed to the more detective-y ones. Seconding the recommendations on Zadie Smith (especially loved NW and White Teeth), Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, and Where'd You Go, Bernadette as well. Other recommendations: Anything by David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas, Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, etc.); The Invisible Bridge (about a Hungarian Jewish family before and during WWII); the Boleyn books by Philippa Gregory for a nice combination of trashy and historical. Janet on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/3#post-1159261 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:15:09 +0000 Janet 1159261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You guys, my Amazon wish list (and my nightstand, where I stack books I have yet to read) is overflowing! Thank you for all of the recommendations. Some I'd already read before, but it's fun to see what everyone has to say. Debora on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/3#post-1159096 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 02:37:46 +0000 Debora 1159096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I recently finished The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry while traveling on the train to NYC. A quirky little book, perfect for traveling. The Goldfinch is next up on my list. Have a good trip, Janet! Janet on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1159070 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 02:08:05 +0000 Janet 1159070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love Lonesome Dove too. My husband made me watch the movie (I hadnt read the book yet) when we were dating, and I cried too. We have now seen it so many times we quite lines of it to each other. MsMary on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1158992 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 00:26:36 +0000 MsMary 1158992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OMG Lonesome Dove was the best.  LOVED LOVED LOVED.  Cried. my. eyes. out. I am currently reading a fantastic young adult novel called "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio and I am just loving it.  Just very sweet and moving. Mochi on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1158500 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:12:01 +0000 Mochi 1158500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hope this thread stays live, because I have gotten so many good book recs from everyone here in the past. A few more I've come up with, and yeah, most of them are still on the darker side but extremely engrossing: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (so sad but incredibly compelling) Fag Hag by Robert Rodi (I had to throw one in there that was hilarious...even THAT had its dark moments!) Two by Zadie Smith: White Teeth and NW I have not read, but have heard good things about Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove Probably a lot more...hopefully will come back to me.  Yikes, Una, you read Kevin while pregnant?! Echo on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1158474 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 14:34:01 +0000 Echo 1158474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I probably shouldn't contribute to the thread, as I rarely read fiction of any sort. But I am an ambassador for non-fiction; it really can be fun, interesting and engaging! My favourite book of all time so far has been The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins (fabulous author, well-respected scientist), although The Selfish Gene is also excellent. You can open it to almost any chapter and start reading or take it from the beginning. Other faves include Matt Ridley's the Red Queen, Bozo Sapiens by Ellen and Michael Kaplan, and Evolving by Daniel Fairbanks. Evolutionary biology and paleoanthropology are my main areas of interest, although The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is good, as is The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazza Age New York. catgirl on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1158454 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 14:22:53 +0000 catgirl 1158454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mochi, I read "Kevin" when I was pregnant! Yipes. Brilliant, disturbing book and generated the best book club discussion ever. Didn't know she had a new book out! crutcher on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1158415 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 13:51:22 +0000 crutcher 1158415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My absolute favorite of 2013...Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan...read it twice because I couldn't let them go...Can't wait for his sequel which has to come... Mochi on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1158323 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 08:44:12 +0000 Mochi 1158323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also loved Kate Atkinson's Life After Life. If people are like me and can take dark reading material--not so much graphic violence, but dealing with heavy subject matter--one book that comes to mind is We Need to Talk About Kevin, by Lionel Shriver. (I also admired her most recent novel, Big Brother. Kevin did have explicit violence in it, to warn you.) Every Man Dies Alone, by Hans Fallada. One of my all-time favorite novels, Jernigan by David Gates. Bleak and hilarious at once. Mystery Ride by Robert Boswell. I also recommend Middlesex. As well as A Visit From the Goon Squad. Janet might also enjoy another of my top-ten favorites from way back in the Sixties. Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes. I need to think up more! I haven't been reading enough fiction of late. This list is going to be a great help to me as well. I also devoured The Secret History back in the day, so I'm happy that Donna Tartt is still writing engrossing novels. Sara L. on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1156483 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:19:33 +0000 Sara L. 1156483@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una - I have found my tolerance for books/TV/movies about violence to kids has gone way, way down since I had kids of my own.  I also found the rape scene in Little Bee very disturbing (ugh, now I need to try to forget about it again).   The Stand is one of my favorite books and agree that it seems to stand up well to re-reading.  I also really enjoyed Bag of Bones and Lisey's Story by Stephen King.  I haven't read any of his recent books except Under the Dome and I don't recommend that one (the end was kind of dumb). Janet - do you read any fantasy?  If so, I would recommend The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Parsley on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1156474 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:10:45 +0000 Parsley 1156474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, I know you have plenty of ideas already to keep you busy, but I just had to jump in because I love a discussion of good books! I just finished the Goldfinch a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it! As an aside, Google some images of Donna Tartt: she was recently named to some "best style" list or other, and I do love her androgynous style and perfect bob. I'm currently reading the second book of  the Old Filth trilogy by Jane Gardam, and finding it very interesting. It's very British, and so a little different for me, and an interesting look at the lives of people who have grown up or spent time in the British Colonies. A couple of other random recommendations of some of my favorites that pop into mind- not new, so maybe you've read them all: A Yellow Raft on Blue Water, by Michael Dorris The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy Any of Margaret Atwood's books, with my favorite being Cat's Eye catgirl on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1156450 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 15:51:58 +0000 catgirl 1156450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, The Stand is my favorite of his books. I also read it around that age and find it bears rereading well. "It" was by far the most frightening. Then there were some duds - hated Dreamcatcher and Duma Key. Loved the Talisman. Desperation freaked me out completely. Wow, the man is prolific... I can't tell if my lack of tolerance for anything involving kids is from being a parent or just getting older and more cynical about it being to close to reality sometimes. Oh, I meant to add Carl Hiassen for airplane reading - funny and sly. Janet on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1156409 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:50:26 +0000 Janet 1156409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the additional suggestions! Stephen King is a master of the disturbing, it's true. Somehow I can usually shake it off, knowing that it's all imaginary, but yeah, he knows how to write some twisted stuff that will stick with you. I started reading his books pretty young -- my BFF (still to this day) was a big fan and got me into them. I was reading The Stand not long after it came out, so I would have been, what, 14 years old? My mom picked it up and read a couple of pages and was pretty horrified. But she never forbade me or discouraged me from reading anything. She had a huge love of reading and knew I did too, and she also knew I enjoyed "I Capture the Castle" (one of her favorites) as much as I did SK. April on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1155992 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 21:36:31 +0000 April 1155992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A caution on the Hunger Games books, which I know everyone adores.  I read the first one only and found it incredibly disturbing.  My son loved it and read them all and I know lots of kids and adults who felt the same.  For me, the theme of a government putting children into a "kill or be killed" scenario was just too horrible.   MsMary on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1155895 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 19:14:44 +0000 MsMary 1155895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Loved "The NIght Circus!" I walked away from Stephen King 27 years ago after having been a huge fan.  "It" just did me in.  Nothing in particular, but my baby was in the hospital (he turned out to be fine) and the book I was reading to pass the time had to do with children in peril, and ... I decided I'd had enough, closed the book, and never went back.  (Plus I was still mad at him for what happened to the little boy in "Cujo.") Hil on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1155892 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 19:10:02 +0000 Hil 1155892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have just put down "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern - just magical. And then for really light reading, I love the Anthony Capella books - "The Food of Love" and "The Wedding Officer". He has written a whole lot of other books, which are on my reading list.  nancylee on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1155711 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 14:39:17 +0000 nancylee 1155711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lots of good recommendations here, Janet.  I'm currently reading Beautiful Ruins.  Great story that jumps between Italy and Los Angeles.   I can also highly recommend: Middlesex (AMAZING BOOK!) A Visit from The Goon Squad State of Wonder Me Before You  Great House For a good classic read, check out Mr. Bridge and Mrs. Bridge.  They combined these two books to make a movie years ago starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, but the books are actually two separate accounts of a marriage from the husband's and wife's POVs.  A little sad, but compelling. Karie on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1154934 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 12:57:55 +0000 Karie 1154934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For watching a series, it's Downton Abbey for sure. A must see, and it's my all time favorite! You'll have three seasons to catch up on with that one. If you want something shorter - with only one season to catch up on - watch Mr. Selfridge. Another PBS Masterpiece Classic that is fantastic. Season 2 is about to start soon. Janet on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1154834 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 04:37:48 +0000 Janet 1154834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, so many great suggestions! I'm on my phone and that makes it hard to respond to each individual post, but trust me, I took copious notes and did a little shopping today at a great little used book store near the radio station. I am stocked up now! Now, the tough part. Narrowing down the choices of what to take on the trip... Debra on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1154617 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 22:59:18 +0000 Debra 1154617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmmmm, I will read anything but especially like anything by Mathew Reilly, fast paced and action packed. Loved the 'Clan of the cave bear' series ( an oldie but goodie) anything by Julliette Marillier, fantasy based on fairy tales and if you like something a little dark, The Historian is a great read. Thank you for sharing everyone, there are a few here I'll be looking for Vivi on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1154219 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 15:52:30 +0000 Vivi 1154219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Alaskagirl, oh of course! That was very disturbing and having a child around that age makes it even more so. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity. Kimberley on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1153253 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 16:14:21 +0000 Kimberley 1153253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just came back from holidays and read on my e reader to pass the time in airports and on flights.  Love that thing!  My favourites were The Silent Wife - ASA Harrison Divergent - Veronica Roth (the kids' choice - I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did!) The Light Between Oceans - ML Stedman The End of Your Life Book Club - Will Schwalbe retailgirl on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1153216 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 15:49:55 +0000 retailgirl 1153216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved "The Secret History".  I also have loved anything by Anita Shreve or Elizabeth Berg. ramya on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1153120 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:36:13 +0000 ramya 1153120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like reading really really fictional stuff while flying and it usually is Kay Hooper :). Have a hard time getting paper back stuff and download it from kindle onto my smart phone and read away Astrid on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1152963 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:37:45 +0000 Astrid 1152963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm also a fan of The Secret History. And I liked those Adler-Olsen Una mentioned. And the last great book I read was Jonas Jonasson's The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. Jeanie on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1152937 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:38:45 +0000 Jeanie 1152937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain.  It's Biographical Fiction about Ernest Hemingway's first wife.   For TV shows I just finished streaming "Homeland" with Claire Danes.  Angie mentioned it in a post and she was right....  Claire Danes is magnificent. catgirl on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1152929 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:06:54 +0000 catgirl 1152929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Vivi, it was the scene with the True Knot after kidnapping the baseball boy fairly early on. The way King described it made me physically ill. I have a son that age, which didn't help. Usually I can stomach horror and none of his other books affected me that way. Gerald's Game, with the guy rattling teeth in the corner of the room, freaked me out, but that was just creepy scary, not haunting. The only comparable reading experiences I've had was the rape scene described in "Little Bee" and the pedophile section in "Gone, Baby, Gone". I wish I could erase them from my mind. Vivi on "Book recommendations" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recommendations/page/2#post-1152913 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 05:24:52 +0000 Vivi 1152913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here are a few that have been recommended to me lately. I've downloaded all of them to read this year. Here Be Dragons-Sharon K Penman Wolf Hall-Hillary Mantel Boy's Life-Robert R. McCammon Life after Life-Kate Atkinson I'm curious to know what caused alaskagirl to stop reading Dr Sleep. I don't recall anything that greatly disturbed me. I did just read Misery and I had to walk away from it several times. Stephen King is a master at getting in his reader's head. Annie Wilkes is cockadoodie scary!